Surgeons Having More Success Reattaching Fingers and Thumbs

Newswise — MAYWOOD, Ill. -- Tom Thompson nearly lost his left thumb and index finger in a power saw injury, but Loyola University Medical Center hand surgeon Dr. Randy Bindra was able to restore circulation and function to the mangled digits in a delicate 5½ hour surgery.

After undergoing three follow-up surgeries and highly specialized occupational therapy at the Loyola Center for Health at Burr Ridge, Thompson says his thumb and finger have regained 60 percent to 70 percent of their original function.

He can't bend the middle joint of his thumb, there's less feeling in his index finger and his grip strength is reduced. But he can do many everyday activities, such as tying his shoes, buttoning his shirt and picking things up between his thumb and index finger.

"Dr. Bindra and his team performed an outstanding job," he said. "I have quite a bit of movement. And my hand looks almost completely normal, like nothing happened."

Thompson was cutting wood trim with a miter saw when the accident occurred. "I was in a hurry to finish, and my concentration level dropped for just a second," he said. His index finger and thumb were almost completely severed.

On average, Bindra sees three or four cases per month in which one or more digits have been completely cut off or almost completely severed. The typical patient is a do-it-yourselfer, rather than a professional carpenter who has undergone safety training, Bindra said.

Bindra reattaches bones with tiny plates, screws and pins. He sews nerves and blood vessels together with sutures that are finer than a human hair. In Thompson's case, Bindra also took a vein from a forearm to reconnect blood supply to the thumb.

Thompson underwent occupational therapy with certified hand therapists Kim Esposito and David Spear. The therapy included, for example, exercises to stretch and bend his finger and thumb joints and open the web space between his thumb and index finger.

Thompson also received extensive education on how to reduce post-surgical swelling, keep his wound clean and change his bandages.

Hand surgeons have long been able to reattach digits. But results are improving due to better techniques and more sophisticated surgical instruments and microscopes, Bindra said.

Bindra said a finger or thumb can be reattached within 12 to 24 hours of an accident. The digit should be wrapped in a clean cloth and put in a Ziploc bag, and the bag should be submerged in ice water.

Of course, it's best not to get injured in the first place. Before he retired, Thompson was involved with operating power tools for many years. "Always stay focused and pay attention -- and never hurry when operating power tools," he said.